Shadowbox storage/display case for earrings

ABSTRACT

A shadowbox storage and display case is particularly adapted for displaying and storing earrings having post or wire extensions. The storage and display case has a housing which is formed by an upright peripheral wall and a rear planar wall. A picture frame having a perforated rigid sheet mounted within its central open area is pivotally attached to the peripheral wall of the housing to form a door for the housing. Post or wire extensions of earrings are inserted through apertures in the perforated rigid sheet and, when necessary, secured by an associated clasp. Hook and loop fastening material on the rear of the storage and display case permits detachable mounting of the storage and display case to a wall, closet door, or other vertical support surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/389,938, filed Jun. 20, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a storage and display case forearrings, and specifically, to a storage and display case for earringsthat can be detachably mounted on a vertical support surface.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The most common device used to store jewelry has in the past beenthe standard jewelry box, a box-like structure with a lid and one ormore internal compartments for storing jewelry. Such boxes, however, arenot ideal for storing smaller jewelry items, particularly post-type andwire earrings. Post-type and wire earrings have an ornamental or designportion attached to a post or wire. The post or wire is an elongatedmember suitable for fitting through the hole in a pierced ear. Thepost-type earring is secured in place on the ear by an associated clasp.

[0006] If stored in a standard jewelry box, post-type and wire earringscan easily become intertwined with or buried underneath other items ofjewelry. Consequently, finding a matching pair of earrings with theassociated clasps becomes very difficult. Also, storing earrings in abox keeps them hidden from view of the user, making it difficult todecide on a particular earring pair from among an extensive selection ofpairs. In addition, as standard jewelry boxes are generally stored on adresser or other horizontal surface, they cannot be hung from walls orcloset doors to allow the user a view of the earring selection fromareas in which outfits are typically assembled and worn. Consequently, astandard jewelry box hinders accessibility of earrings containedtherein.

[0007] Some of the prior art has attempted to overcome the limitationsof the standard jewelry box. A number of earring holders have beendesigned to simultaneously store and display post-type and wireearrings. Such designs generally incorporate a mesh material or screenthrough which the post-type or wire earrings are hooked or otherwiseattached. While these earring holders display the earrings in such a waythat the user can easily choose between them, they either fail toprovide an easy mechanism by which the earrings can be attached anddetached, are not versatile, or they are not secure enough to preventearrings from falling out of the holder if jostled during the selectionprocess.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,084, issued Dec. 13, 1983 to E. Whelan,discloses a device for holding earrings, comprising a pair of framesconnected by hinges, each frame having a thin rigid sheet mounted in thecenter of the frame by spacers with the rigid sheet having apertures forreceiving the earrings. Earrings can be mounted on both frames and thetwo frames can be closed together in a book-like shape with thedecorative faces of the earrings facing each other, or opened to displaythe earrings. This device is only designed to rest upon a dresser orother horizontal surface and cannot be hung. As such, the locations fromwhich the user may view the display are limited.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,063, issued May 30, 1995 to C. Lane,discloses a device for storing objects having protruding wires. Thedevice comprises a panel that is retained in position by a frame. Thepanel is formed from self-sealing foam. An object such as an earringpost can be inserted into the foam panel without removal of the clasp.This may be unsuitable for earrings whose posts do not extend a greatdeal beyond the clasp, making it difficult to insert the post into thefoam panel.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,745, issued Sep. 24, 1991 to P. Sanders,discloses a device for holding earrings comprising a frame mounting anet or screen about its edge marginal region and a loop-like leashattached to the top of the frame. The post of an earring is insertedthrough the front of the net or screen, then secured by an earring claspon the other side of the net or screen. The device must be hung on awall or other vertical surface by use of a hook or nail. As such,insertion and removal of the earring clasps becomes awkward anddifficult.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,815, issued Sep. 14, 1999 to H.Yetman-Bellows, discloses a universal holder for post and open hookjewelry, comprising a soft plastic mesh supported by a frame with hingedand locking legs and a key hole aperture providing two modes of support.The post of an earring is inserted through the front of the plastic meshand secured in place by an earring clasp through which the post isinserted from behind the plastic mesh. The device is capable ofstanding, hanging, and stacking. However, when hung, insertion andremoval of the earring clasps becomes awkward and difficult.

[0012] Other patents disclosing devices which can be used for bothstoring and displaying earrings include U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,886, issuedApr. 26, 1988 to D. Seaberg (upright perforated standard for attachingearrings, mounted to a base tray); U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,011, issued Aug.30, 1988 to S. M. Butler (mesh material for attaching earrings, enclosedby frame); U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,821, issued Mar. 6, 1990 to M. Corbett(panel of woven material or mesh for attaching earrings, mounted inframe); U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,069, issued May 8, 1990 to S. Germain (panelof a retention medium such as foam for inserting jewelry having a post,mounted to a support means); U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,105, issued Feb. 11,1992 to J. White (an earring rack comprising a grid frame for attachinghook earrings and two perforated shutters for attaching post earrings);U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,833, issued Jun. 16, 1992 to S. Lindsay (a rollabledevice comprising apertures for attachment of jewelry items, adetachable mirror, and a time piece); U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,120 issuedAug. 31, 1993 to C. McDonough (a flexible sheet with apertures toreceive the post of earrings); U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,750 issued Oct. 19,1993 to M. Keffer (rectangular frame having a front surface overlaid bya section of fabric capable of receiving earrings and pinnable jewelry);U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,529 issued Nov. 16, 1993 to Joanne P. Holland(earring storage apparatus consisting of a multiplicity of individualvertical panels having a mesh plastic layer for supporting accessoryitems having posts or post-like structures); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,587issued Mar. 22, 1994 to Glenn W. Downes (strip of fabric and means forsuspending fabric, wherein stems of earrings pierce into fabric).

[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly orin combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a shadowbox storage and displaycase for earrings. The storage and display case comprises a housingformed by an upright peripheral wall forming its perimeter and a rearplanar wall which attaches to the peripheral wall and forms a backing orbase for the housing. Although the housing can be of any shape, it ispreferably rectangular, having a sidewall on each side and a rear planarwall at its base. The storage and display case is opened and closed by adoor which is pivotally attached to a sidewall of the housing. The dooris formed by a picture frame which has mounted within its central openarea a perforated rigid sheet.

[0015] The storage and display case is particularly adapted for earringshaving post or wire extensions. The post or wire extensions are simplyinserted through the side of the door which faces away from the housing(the exterior side of the door). Earrings having a post are thenattached to an associated clasp on the side of the door that faces thehousing (the interior side of the door) to hold the earring in place.When the framed door is closed, its exterior side, bearing theornamental design of each earring, is visible. In this manner, theearrings can be displayed in a way that is aesthetically pleasing andeasily accessible.

[0016] On the back of the storage and display case are three hook andloop fastener strips which allow the storage and display case to bedetachably mounted to any wall or closet door that would facilitate abetter view of the display and which stabilize the storage and displaycase so that when it is opened and closed, it does not shift from sideto side or otherwise damage the surface from which it is hung.

[0017] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to providea new and improved device for storing and displaying earrings.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a device forstoring and displaying earrings which allows easy access to a variety ofearring pairs.

[0019] It is another object of the invention to provide a device forstoring and displaying earrings which is versatile and capable of beinghung at a location convenient to the user.

[0020] It is a further object of the invention to store earring pairs ina manner that keeps them segregated from other earring pairs.

[0021] Still another object of the invention is to store and displayearrings in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing.

[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

[0023] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is an environmental, front perspective view of a shadowboxstorage/display case according to the present invention with the door ina closed position.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a front view of a shadowbox storage/display caseaccording to the present invention with the framed door in an openposition.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a rear view of a shadowbox storage/display caseaccording to the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 depicts a method by which earrings are attached anddetached from a shadowbox storage/display case according to the presentinvention.

[0028] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] The present invention is a shadowbox storage and display case forearrings, designated generally as 5 in the drawings.

[0030] As depicted in FIG. 1, the storage and display case comprises ahousing 10 to which is attached a door 11 having an exterior side 13 andan interior side 14. Interior side 14 can be seen in FIG. 2. The storageand display case 5 may be of any suitable shape, however, as is shown inFIGS. 1-4, a rectangular shape is preferred.

[0031] As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 10 is formed by anupright peripheral wall 12 and a planar rear wall 25. In a preferredembodiment, the peripheral wall 12 is rectangular and includes a leftsidewall 16, a right sidewall 17, a top sidewall 18, and a bottomsidewall 19. The top sidewall 18 and the bottom sidewall 19 connect withthe left sidewall 16 and the right sidewall 17 at mitered corners 15.The peripheral wall 12 may be made from wood or other suitable materialincluding, but not limited to, injection molded plastic, extrudedplastic, and

[0032] The planar rear wall 25 is connected to the peripheral wall 12about the length of the peripheral wall 12 to form the back of thebox-shaped housing 10. The planar rear wall 25 is preferably adecorative mat board; however, other suitable material, including, butnot limited to, particle board and Masonite™ with a decorative matattached thereto may be used.

[0033] The door 11 is formed by a picture frame 30 having the same orabout the same shape and size as the housing 10, and a perforated rigidsheet 35 disposed in the opening defined by the frame 30. The pictureframe 30 comprises top, bottom, right, and left side members, 31, 32,33, 34, of the same or about the same lengths as top, bottom, right, andleft sidewalls, 18, 19, 17, 16, respectively, of the housing 10. The topand bottom side members 31, 32 join at their opposite ends with rightand left side members 33, 34 to define a central open area in which theperforated rigid sheet 35 is mounted. Apertures 36 in the perforatedrigid sheet should have a diameter of about 0.15 inch. While it ispreferable to use hot glue to attach the perforated rigid sheet 35 tothe back edges of the peripheral wall 12 of the picture frame 30, anyother suitable means may be employed. The perforated rigid sheet 35 canbe made from metal or any other suitable material, e.g., transparentacrylic.

[0034] On the interior side 14 of the door 11, the left side member 34of the picture frame 30 is pivotally attached to the left sidewall 16 ofthe housing 10 by two non-mortised hinges 20 A first patch ofhook-and-loop fastening material 40 (e.g., double-stick Velcro™ dot) isattached to the right side member 33 on the interior side 14 of the door11 and a mating patch of hook-and-loop material 40 is attached to acorresponding position on the right sidewall 17 of the housing 10 sothat the patches 40 interlock with one another when the door 11 is inthe closed position. Although a mechanical or magnetic catch could beused, the use of hook-and-loop fastening material is more economical,easier to install, and less prone to damage after repeated use.

[0035] As depicted in FIG. 3, an upper patch 45 and two lower patches 50of hook-and-loop fastening material are attached to the back of the rearwall 25. Preferably, the upper patch of hook-and-loop fastening material45 is a two inch strip of double-stick Velcro™ which is attached in theupper mid-section of the rear planar wall 25. The lower two patches ofhook-and-loop fastening material 50 are each preferably a one inch stripof double-stick Velcro™ which is attached to the bottom corners of thestorage and display case 5. The respective mating strips (not shown) foreach patch of hook and loop fastening material 45, 50, are affixed to acorresponding position on a wall or other vertical support surface onwhich the storage and display case 5 is to be hung.

[0036] Hook-and-loop fastening material eliminates the problem oflocating a wall stud or installing a suitable anchor in drywall.Additionally, hook-and-loop fastening material has great strength inshear for supporting the weight of the shadowbox 5. However, aconventional picture hanger (not shown) can be used in place of theupper patch 45, if desired, for hanging the storage and display case 5on a wall.

[0037] As depicted in FIG. 4, the earring post 7 of an earring 6 isinserted into the exterior side 13 of the door 11 through the aperture36. The earring post 7 is then attached to its associated clasp 9 tohold the earring 6 in place on the interior side 14 of the framed door11. Wire earrings (not shown) may be inserted in the same manner,although, they do not need to be secured in place with an associatedclasp.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, when the door 11 is in the closed position,only the exterior side 13 of the door 11 bearing the ornamental design 8of each earring 6 is visible. Therefore, the rigid sheet 35 is selectedto provide a background color which highlights the appearance of theearrings for display purposes, or may be transparent so that thedecorative mat board forming the rear wall 25 provides a decorativebackdrop, and together with the frame 30 provides a shadowbox effect.The housing 10 protects the earring clasp 9 and post 7 from damage withthe door 11 in the closed position.

[0039] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A storage and display case for earrings having post or wireextensions, comprising: (a) a housing defined by a rear planar wall andan upright peripheral wall disposed about the rear wall; (b) a pictureframe having an open central area, the picture frame being pivotallyattached to said housing; (c) a perforated rigid sheet mounted withinthe open central area of said picture frame, said picture frame and saidperforated rigid sheet together defining a door; and (d) means fordetachably mounting said storage and display case onto a verticalsupport surface; wherein said perforated rigid sheet is adapted toreceive the post or wire extensions of earrings; and whereby said doorand said housing define a shadowbox for storage and display of earrings.2. The storage and display case according to claim 1, wherein said meansfor detachably mounting said storage and display case onto a verticalsupport surface comprises at least one patch of hook-and-loop fasteningmaterial attached to the rear wall of said housing, said patch beingadapted for releasable attachment to a mating patch of hook-and-loopfastening material disposed on the vertical support surface.
 3. Thestorage and display case according to claim 1, further comprising atleast one hinge attached to said frame and to said housing for pivotallyconnecting said frame and said housing.
 4. The storage and display caseaccording to claim 1, further comprising means for releasably securingsaid door in a closed position.
 5. The storage and display caseaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a first patch of hook-and-loopfastening material attached to said frame; and a second patch ofhook-and-loop fastening material attached to said housing, said firstand second patches releasably interlocking to secure said door in aclosed position.
 6. The storage and display case according to claim 1,wherein said rear wall is a decorative mat board.
 7. The storage anddisplay case according to claim 1, wherein said rear wall is particleboard.
 8. The storage and display case according to claim 1, whereinsaid perforated rigid sheet is made from metal.